Balmain and L'Oreal Paris are joining forces on a new beauty line. The French fashion house, helmed by designer Olivier Rousteing, is creating a line of lipsticks which will hit shelves in September. There will be 12 shades on offer, plus three "jewels" where the lipstick will be encased in a wearable accessory.
"I'm really close to luxury but at the same time I'm also close to pop culture and I think a lot of people who may love the Balmain universe can't afford the clothes," Rousteing told Business of Fashion about his reasons for signing a contract with the cosmetics giant. "The collaboration with L'Oreal Paris opens up luxury in a different way. For (consumers) to get a piece of Balmain (make-up) is a way for them to get into the Balmain universe. Make-up has always been part of my aesthetic and my silhouette. Having the opportunity to do that with an institution like L'Oréal Paris for me is an incredible dream."
The Balmain and L'Oreal Paris lipsticks will hit shelves in September
The range will be inspired by Balmain's runway themes and celebrate diversity, something Olivier is known for in the fashion world. He regularly casts models of all ethnicities in his catwalk shows and campaigns, with Kendall Jenner, Jourdan Dunn and Issa Lish just some of his go-to models.
"I want to speak to different girls," the designer mused. "Colour is not just in the palette of my clothes, it's also in the girls. Some (shades) are really good on white skin, some are really good on Asian skin, some of them on black skin. Each group (of Balmain women) is really powerful but in different ways. This Balmain Army will become the L'Oreal Paris army as well."
Olivier, 31, follows in the footsteps of Victoria Beckham, Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung, who have all teamed up with beauty brands in the past.